Our Classes

We serve children ages from one day old to six years old.

(Infants and Toddlers, Preschool for 2 year olds, Preschool for 3 and 4 year olds, The Big Room)

When children move through the rooms at Vasaio Atelier or Wild Poppy, keep in mind movement is gentle and intentional. We do not engage in forcing an unfamiliar environment upon a child simply because their birthday affords us an opportunity. They are given months to become immersed in a new space. Instructors take the time to visit students who may be moving into their classes. Our instructors understand the importance of a child’s relationship with instructors. It’s our goal to foster relationships between our students and every teacher. Our schools are smaller by design and they allow for closer relationships between children, families and instructors.

A CHILD'S PLACEMENT WITHIN A CLASS IS LIMITED BY ONLY A FEW FACTORS.

Typically, social development is a determining factor more often than academic experience or ability. Often times, we speak to parents who are highly concerned about their child’s academic skills and exposure. It’s a question for which we have many answers. Our response to this is not what most parents expect to hear. But, we know it to be the truth. Childhood is not a race. Children are not robots or computers which need to be programmed. Their minds do not have expiration dates. Exploration and discovery has no age boundary.

From a post by Alicia Bayer, a blogger at A Magical Childhood, we find the perfect words to describe the ideal set of goals for our school to uphold. Within the walls of our schools and play yards, your child…

WILL KNOW THEY ARE LOVED.

Wholly and unconditionally, all of the time.

WILL KNOW THEY ARE SAFE.

They will be encouraged to trust their instincts in life about people and that they never have to do something that doesn’t feel right, no matter who is asking. They will learn they have personal rights.

WILL ACT SILLY, BE GOOFY AND USE THEIR IMAGINATION.

They should know that it is always OK to paint the sky orange and give cats six legs.

WILL KNOW THEIR OWN INTERESTS AND BE ENCOURAGED TO FOLLOW THEM.

If they couldn’t care less about learning numbers, we realize it will come soon enough. Instead, we will allow them the freedom to immerse themselves in rocket ships, drawing, dinosaurs or playing in the mud.

THEY WILL SOON KNOW THAT THE WORLD IS MAGICAL AND THAT SO ARE THEY.

They are wonderful, brilliant, creative, compassionate and marvelous. And, it’s just as worthy to spend the day outside making daisy chains, mud pies and fairy houses as it is to practice phonics. Scratch that — way more worthy.

So, the big questions most parents have. “Which class will my child be in?” Our answer is always the same. Aside from state rules and regulations regarding health and sanitation, where do they want to be? Where do they need to be? Where will they thrive, feel happy, relax and explore?